652: Christmas Eve (12/24/2025)

652: Christmas Eve (12/24/2025)

Author: Robb McCoy and Eric Fistler December 18, 2025 Duration: 1:00:38

Notes

  1. Luke 2:1-20
  2. John 1:1-14

Summary

In this episode of the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, hosts Eric Fistler and Rob McCoy explore the significance of Christmas Eve, focusing on the Gospel of Luke and John. They discuss the nativity story, emphasizing themes of hospitality, community, and the deeper meanings behind familiar narratives. The conversation highlights the importance of welcoming God into our lives and the transformative power of the incarnation. Through reflections on the shepherds and the poetic nature of John's Gospel, the hosts invite listeners to engage with the Christmas story in a meaningful way.

Takeaways

  • This year Christmas falls on a Wednesday, which is exciting for many.
  • The podcast will focus on the Gospel of Luke and John for Christmas Eve.
  • Rob is hosting a preaching retreat in January for those interested in planning their sermons.
  • The story of Jesus' birth is often simplified, but it holds deeper meanings.
  • The concept of 'no room at the inn' can be reframed to highlight hospitality.
  • Shepherds symbolize the vulnerable and caring nature of leadership in the story.
  • The Gospel of John presents a poetic view of the incarnation.
  • The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot extinguish it.
  • The story of Jesus' birth invites us to reflect on our own hospitality.
  • The community aspect of faith is emphasized in the discussion.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Christmas Eve Preaching
02:56 Retreat Announcement and Preaching Preparation
05:46 Christmas Reflections and Personal Experiences
08:52 Exploring Luke 2:1-20 - The Birth of Jesus
14:44 The Significance of the Shepherds
21:55 Juxtaposition of Empire and Hospitality
28:19 The Kingdom of God and Vulnerability
38:50 The Word Made Flesh: A Poetic Exploration
54:47 Radical Hospitality and Welcoming God
56:42 Community and Connection in Faith

 


Every week, Reverend Robb McCoy and Reverend Eric Fistler sit down for a conversation that feels more like a thoughtful chat between friends than a formal sermon. Their Pulpit Fiction Podcast uses the weekly Revised Common Lectionary readings as a starting point, but the discussion quickly branches into the unexpected. You’ll hear them draw connections between ancient scripture and contemporary movies, television, and headlines, creating a space where faith feels immediately relevant. This approach makes the podcast an invaluable resource for pastors and laypeople crafting a Sunday message, but its real appeal is much broader. It’s for anyone who appreciates a deep, critical, and often humorous dive into the Bible without pretense. Listening feels like being included in a genuine dialogue where curiosity is welcomed, and hard questions are met with intellectual honesty and pastoral care. The hosts’ dynamic brings both scholarly insight and everyday practicality, ensuring that each episode offers not just interpretation, but meaningful application. Whether you’re deeply rooted in Christian tradition or simply exploring spiritual ideas, this podcast provides a unique blend of theological reflection and cultural commentary that challenges and enriches.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Pulpit Fiction Podcast
Podcast Episodes
660: Transfiguration A (2/15/2026) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:51
Notes Matthew 17:1-9 Exodus 24:12-18 2 Peter 1:16-21 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Transfiguration Sunday 05:31 Exploring the Transfiguration of Jesus 12:02 The Significance of Transfiguration Sunday 20:35 The Role of F…
659: Epiphany 5A (2/8/2026) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:39
Notes Matthew 5:13-20 Isaiah 58:1-12 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 Summary In this episode of the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, hosts Robb McCoy and Eric Fistler discuss the readings for the fifth Sunday after Epiphany, focusing on Mat…
658: Epiphany 4A (2/1/2026) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:58
Notes Matthew 5:1-12 Micah 6:1-8 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Summary In this episode of the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, hosts Eric Fistler and Robb McCoy explore the Beatitudes from the Gospel of Matthew, Micah 6's call for justic…
657: Epiphany 3A (1/25/2026) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:48
Notes Matthew 4:12-23 Isaiah 9:1-4 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Summary In this episode of the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, hosts Robb McCoy and Eric Fistler delve into the Gospel reading from Matthew 4:12-23, which recounts the cal…
656: Epiphany 2A (1/18/2026) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:35
Notes John 1:29-42 Isaiah 49:1-7 1 Corinthians 1:1-19 Summary In this episode of the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, hosts Eric Fistler and Rob McCoy explore the lectionary readings for the second Sunday after Epiphany, focusing…
655: Baptism of Christ A (1/11/2026) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:23
Notes Matthew 3:13-17 Isaiah 42:1-9 Acts 10:34-43 Summary In this episode of the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, hosts Robb McCoy and Eric Fistler explore the significance of the Baptism of Christ as described in Matthew 3:13-17…
Christmastide 2 (1/4/2026) REB [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:18
Originally boradcast 1/3/2021 NOTES John 1:1-18 Jeremiah 31:7-14 Psalm 147:12-20 w Richard Bruxvoort Colligan Psalmimmersion.com @pomopsalmist Patreon Ephesians 1:3-14 w Mason Parks
654: Epiphany (1/4/2026) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:49
Notes Matthew 2:1-12 Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:1-12 Summary In this episode of the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, hosts Eric Fistler and Robb McCoy explore the significance of Epiphany, focusing on the visit of the Magi and the…
653: Christmas 1A (12/28/2025) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:16
Notes Matthew 2:13-23 Isaiah 63:7-9 Hebrews 2:10-18 Summary In this episode of the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, hosts Robb McCoy and Eric Fistler discuss the lectionary readings for the first Sunday of Christmas, focusing on…
651: Advent 4A (12/21/2025) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:03
Notes Matthew 1:18-25 Isaiah 7:10-16 Romans 1:1-7 Summary In this episode of the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, hosts Robb and Eric discuss the readings for the fourth Sunday of Advent, focusing on Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 7:10-…